‘Myopic’ active travel criticism belongs in past
IN REPLY to the letter printed in the Press on 25 January from Geoff Dorey [Beware ‘groupthink’ on cycling benefits].
Unfortunately, Mr Dorey’s limited view about the concept of active travel shows little understanding of reality. The truth is that by getting people walking and riding bicycles this can promote health, reduce emissions, see people happier and reduce significantly the island’s medical costs while making people more productive at work, so boosting business. These positives appear to have passed him by.
There is vast international data to support these claims. There are also thousands of members of the Guernsey population with the vision of having alternatives to our busy roads, to safely move children, parents and workers to schools and work destinations, whether it be on foot or by bicycle. Again, international data indicates that if the right facilities are provided the participating numbers in active travel dramatically increase, boosting the economy, education and health.
The myopic views of some represent the past and they have no view of the future.
Providing Guernsey with an active travel infrastructure will allow for all modes of transport to flow more efficiently – not the myth of it’s car v. pedestrians or cyclists.
DAVID JEFFERY
La Cache
La Pomare
St Peter’s